Randomness from Utah

Jake would like to say hello.  He would like to tell you that although he is cute as a button and smart as a whip he is still a puppy, so leave your favorite belongings out at your own risk.  We've all learned this the hard way. 

This weekend he chewed right through my Mom's laptop cord.  Who would have thought?  Well.... we should have because he did the same thing to my laptop cord on my last visit!  The crazy dog loves power!

I really really hoped to see show while in Utah.  On Saturday afternoon we got a light dusting and then in true Utah style the weather changed and it was gone.  To be honest, I was happy with even the lightest dusting.  I just wanted to see snow!

My parents are awesome for a couple reasons.  1... because they are my parents. 2... because they are always buying new random things.  and 3.... because they have fallen right off the apple tree.  Meaning, they are all things apple, ipad, ipod, imac.  Look at the latest addition to their apple family. 27 inches of gorgeous-ness and pure fun.  I told them to be sure to keep the box it came in - JUST IN CASE they decided it wasn't going to work out and needed to ship it to Ben and I for safe keeping.  (I decided to do this post late at night and they vetoed a picture of themselves playing on their ipads - even though it's really cute - so you'll have to settle for one of the computer).

What up photo booth... I was having way too much fun showing them all the fun things this computer can do.  Some day I will have a mac.

My latest obsession... baking.  What?? Yeah - I know.  I promised my family a yummy treat on Sunday night so we made some cake balls!  They are super yummy and simple and turn out so fancy that you can't help taking pictures of them.  We had all sorts of varieties for everyone to try.  I did miss my usual cake ball baking assistant (Ben) who does an amazing job of covering them in chocolate, but my sweet mom was the perfect stand in.

 Cake balls anyone?

Well, Utah - until next time.  It was wonderful to visit with such fabulous friends and family I wish I would have had my camera along to show you our many adventues.  Just know no working out and plenty of shopping, laughing, food, talking, more shopping, lots of candy, even more food and fun.  I am always reminded of how blessed and loved I am here, which makes visiting so fun!  I am also always reminded how very dry it is and I will be caking on the moisturizer and chapstick for weeks trying to recoup.  Totally worth it! :)

Skiing across the country...

Or Cross Country Skiing - cause we would have NEVER made it across the country.  Last week Ben and I took a day off work and were looking for something to do.  He and I both agree - if you take a day off work, you can't just waste it lazily.  We were in Utah to visit my family for a couple days, since we won't be able to spend the holidays with them, and had originally planned on going snowshoeing.  We were hoping we would be able to rent boots since neither of us own a good snow shoeing pair.  Well - we couldn't find a place that wanted to rent them too us and late Thursday night we weren't sure what Friday would hold.  My mom had an idea that maybe Rick and Peggy, {their friends across the street} had snowshoes and boots.  She gave them a call and after Peggy had a big laugh picturing her and Rick on snowshoes and wondering what my mom planned to do with them she said, "Well we do have cross country skis.  Amber and Ben can use those!"

And use them we did!  Neither Ben or I had been cross country skiing before so we knew this would be quite the adventure.  We searched for a resort who had open trails, apparently they all open later in December, and finally found one in Park City {which we both decided later was really a blessing to get us above the yucky inversion}.  Plus the scenery was beautiful, so we suited up and were ready to go!

I was having quite the trouble getting my boot attached to my ski.  Finally, got it!

 Ben showing off his ski and balancing skills.

 We started with a 5k trail.  I was thinking.... "3 miles, I got this in the bag.  I could run this all day!"  Well cross country skiing is a lot like running on skiis, let Ben demonstrate... {you'll have to tilt your head, I can't get it to turn!}

 That's how it should be done.  But, you have these little poles here because what you don't know is that you can tip over at any second!  Let me demonstrate...

I honestly fell more than 15 times! I had to laugh because just when you thought you had it you would be on the ground face first the snow and not quite sure what happened.

 This was the best fall ever!  My legs were so tangled Ben had to come unhook one of my skis so I could move.  I thought falling was hilarious, I never expected to be fabulous at this from the get-go.

 Ben on the other had was quite annoyed that some instability was ruining his track record of being amazing at  everything.  I had to catch at least one picture of a little topple from my sweet husband.  He no where near caught up to my 15 awesome falls though.

We had a blast - falling and all.  Ben is not sure he wants to take this on as a hobby seeing as the best part of it was when we were flying down hills.  And let me tell you, getting to the top of those hills was no easy task.  My original thought that the 5k was going to be a piece of cake was just a tad off, but a good workout it certainly was!  I would love to go again!